Storage

Abstract

A fluidized combustor is provided with a burning zone having cooling passages in its upper portion and a lower portion beneath said passages yet deep enough so that material therein may be operated in a fluid bed combustor mode with cooling by fluidizing excess air, a separate zone being provided for selective storage therein of materials transferred from the burning zone.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A fluidized bed combustor comprising burning means including apertured means defining a support for fluidization of contents supported thereby,   housing means for defining with said support a burning zone,     heat transfer means for carrying fluid therethrough to remove heat produced by burning, said heat transfer means being spaced above said support to provide thereunder in said housing means above said support a first storage zone of depth to permit fluidized bed combustion of contents over said support without settledbed contact between the surface of said contents and any said heat transfer means,     storage means defining a second storage zone to allow storage of materials removed from said first storage zone,   means for selectively transferring materials from said first storage zone to said second storage zone, and   means for selectively transferring material from said second storage zone to said first storage zone.   
     
     
       2. The combustor of claim 1 in which said second zone and said first zone are in series, said second zone being upstream of said first zone. 
     
     
       3. The fluidized bed combustor of claim 2 which includes second aperture means defining a support for fluidization of contents supported thereby, said second apertured means defining together with housing means and said apertured means said second storage zone. 
     
     
       4. The combustor of claim 1 which includes fuel introduction means for introducing fuel into said first storage zone, located to introduce said fuel a substantial distance below the top of said first storage zone. 
     
     
       5. The combustor of claim 4 in which said fuel introduction means is means for introducing coal. 
     
     
       6. The combustor of claim 5 in which said fuel introduction means is located from three to six inches below the top of said first storage zone. 
     
     
       7. The combustor of claim 3 in which said second storage zone includes at a predetermined height therein solids outlet means, whereby incombustible solids accumulating in burning zones may be transferred to said second storage zone, air cooled therein, and discharged through said solids outlet means. 
     
     
       8. The combustor of claim 4 which includes a desulfurizing zone including apertured means defining a support for fluidization of sorbent supported thereby and housing means therearound, said desulfurizing zone being in series with and downstream of said burning means. 
     
     
       9. The combustor of claim 3 in which burning zone and said second storage zone are defined by a common housing. 
     
     
       10. The combustor of claim 8 in which said second storage zone, said burning means, and said desulfurizing zone are defined by a common housing.